Seabees supply donors thanked at meeting

Published: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 10:46 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 10:46 a.m.

Several Sarasota County School District schools and departments as well as individuals, businesses and community organizations were recognized and thanked at the Sept. 17 School Board meeting for contributing personal items to U.S. Navy personnel stationed in Afghanistan.

Each honoree received an American flag and a certificate to validate that it had been flown over an American base in Afghanistan.

The recipients included Sarasota County School District; the district's Facilities, Transportation and Food and Nutrition Services departments; Wilkinson and Oak Park schools; the Laurel-Nokomis Junior Honor Society; Salvation Armyl Goodfellas Restaurant; Home Depot; and Jerry Clawson.

The project was initiated and organized by Steve Clark, a district Facilities Department manager, and his wife, Valeta, a benefits specialist in the Risk Management Department. Clark is a senior chief petty officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve Seabees.

He said he and his wife decided to collect some personal supplies and send them to Seabees in Afghanistan last Christmas. He mentioned what he was doing to his colleagues in the Facilities Department.

As the word got around the district, other departments and several schools asked if they could contribute. Through their connections, the idea spread to groups and individuals in the community as well.

Eventually, the Clarks shipped more than 500 pounds of personal supplies to Seabees in Afghanistan.

District Chief Operating Officer Scott Lempe said he knows from personal experience as a U.S. Air Force officer how significant it is for soldiers and sailors to receive mail.

It is "hugely important" for people in overseas combat zones to know that their home communities support their efforts and appreciate their sacrifices," Lempe said in a prepared statement. "Your efforts reflect great credit on you and the organizations you represent."

<p>Several Sarasota County School District schools and departments as well as individuals, businesses and community organizations were recognized and thanked at the Sept. 17 School Board meeting for contributing personal items to U.S. Navy personnel stationed in Afghanistan.</p><p>Each honoree received an American flag and a certificate to validate that it had been flown over an American base in Afghanistan.</p><p>The recipients included Sarasota County School District; the district's Facilities, Transportation and Food and Nutrition Services departments; Wilkinson and Oak Park schools; the Laurel-Nokomis Junior Honor Society; Salvation Armyl Goodfellas Restaurant; Home Depot; and Jerry Clawson.</p><p>The project was initiated and organized by Steve Clark, a district Facilities Department manager, and his wife, Valeta, a benefits specialist in the Risk Management Department. Clark is a senior chief petty officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve Seabees.</p><p>He said he and his wife decided to collect some personal supplies and send them to Seabees in Afghanistan last Christmas. He mentioned what he was doing to his colleagues in the Facilities Department.</p><p>As the word got around the district, other departments and several schools asked if they could contribute. Through their connections, the idea spread to groups and individuals in the community as well.</p><p>Eventually, the Clarks shipped more than 500 pounds of personal supplies to Seabees in Afghanistan.</p><p>District Chief Operating Officer Scott Lempe said he knows from personal experience as a U.S. Air Force officer how significant it is for soldiers and sailors to receive mail.</p><p>It is "hugely important" for people in overseas combat zones to know that their home communities support their efforts and appreciate their sacrifices," Lempe said in a prepared statement. "Your efforts reflect great credit on you and the organizations you represent."</p>